Comprehensive Overview of Immigration Law (COIL) Practice Exam

Which document is essential at an immigrant visa interview to establish eligibility?

1. Visa application form

2. Employment offer letter

3. Passport

4. Approval notice from USCIS

The correct answer is: Approval notice from USCIS

The approval notice from USCIS is indeed a crucial document for an immigrant visa interview as it is proof that the respective petition has been reviewed and granted, establishing the foundation for the visa eligibility. This notice, often referred to as Form I-797, confirms that the applicant's immigrant petition, whether based on family relationship or employment, has been approved. It signifies that the applicant meets the qualifications set forth in the immigration petition, which is essential for the consular officer to assess eligibility during the interview. While the visa application form is necessary for processing, and the passport is critical for international travel, neither of these documents alone attests to the applicant’s eligibility for the visa. An employment offer letter may be pertinent in certain cases, especially for employment-based visas, but it does not serve as the definitive proof of eligibility in the way that an approval notice does. The approval notice directly links all prior evaluations and procedural steps leading to the visa application, making it the key element in establishing an applicant's eligibility during the interview process.